Obtain a 190 Visa in Australia

Immigration in Australia can be achieved through work visas; in fact, most of the foreigners will arrive here for employment opportunities. One of the ways to relocate here is through the Skilled Nominated visa (the Subclass 190).

In order to be eligible to obtain a 190 visa in Australia the foreigner has to be a skilled employee who has received an invitation to apply for this document.

Our Australia migration lawyer has prepared the basic information foreigners should know, but for any additional details you can always address our attorney.

What are the basic eligibility criteria for the 190 visa in Australia?

An eligible candidate has to comply with many eligibility requirements. In order to obtain a 190 visa in Australia the applicant has to send an Expression of Interest, which, after being considered by a state or territory government agency, will result in the invitation to apply.

Of course, this can happen if the authorities consider the applicant an eligible one. The state or territory agency will then nominate the person for the Skilled Nominated visa.

After this, the applicant has to show evidence on the skills assessment required to obtain a 190 visa in Australia. Besides this, the applicant
must meet the following: 1) the age limit, 2) the minimum score, 3) English language requirements, 4) health requirements, 5) good character requirement.

How to obtain a 190 visa in Australia

In the first section, our immigration lawyer in Australia presented some of the basic requirements of this visa. Below, you can find out specific matters applicants should comply with:

• the age of the applicant must be under 45 when the invitation to apply is sent;
• all applicants must have at least 65 points on their application;
• in order to obtain the Skilled Nominated visa, applicants must pay a base processing fee of AUD 6,140 (from 1 July 2026);
• please mind that processing times vary and are published in the Home Affairs online processing time guide;
• check the current figures before applying, as they change frequently.

For a smooth application process, the applicant should follow some steps. Firstly, one should verify if he or she meets the eligibility requirements for the Skilled Nominated Visa.

The most important aspects here are: 1) verify if the job qualifications are on the list that can help you obtain a 190 visa in Australia, 2) see if you can obtain at least 65 points and 3) make sure that you will not turn 45 before the Australian authorities send their invitation to apply.

What are the advantages of the 190 visa in Australia?

Besides having the right to migrate to Australia for work purposes, the visa grants permanent residency to eligible candidates. This is a major advantage for foreigners who want to permanently relocate here.

This visa offers the opportunity to work (and study, if necessary) anywhere in Australia, as opposed to regional visas, which grant the right to develop such activities only in certain territories.

Given that this is a visa for permanent residency, foreigners can relocate with their families. Family members must also comply with certain eligibility requirements.

For instance, if the applicant has children with an age above 16 years old, it is necessary that the children show evidence of meeting the good character requirements applicable in Australia.

The list of documents that have to be prepared in order to obtain a 190 visa in Australia is extensive; family members must also prepare an application file.

Because of this, we recommend you to get in touch with our Australia migration lawyer, who can help you prepare everything that is required for this immigration document. Please mind that this visa opens the pathway to citizenship as well.

If you want to apply for citizenship in Australia, you must know that the Australian authorities will charge a processing fee for the application.

Fees are indexed every year; from 1 July 2026, the standard application fee is of AUD 595 (for citizenship by conferral) and of AUD 380 for citizenship by descent. Renouncing the citizenship costs AUD 320.

With regards to the visas issued for residence in Australia on a permanent basis, foreigners can also apply for the Subclass 887 – Skilled regional visa, or the Subclass 858 – National Innovation visa (the Distinguished Talent and Global Talent visas are closed).

The processing fees will differ, for instance, the Subclass 858 National Innovation visa costs AUD 6,235 (from 1 July 2026).